A train track with a mountain and piles of soil waste in the background.

Agreement reached to remove uranium mine waste from Navajo land

Federal and tribal officials approved a plan to transport one million cubic yards of uranium waste from the Quivira mine to an off-site landfill, aiming to mitigate health and environmental risks after decades of Navajo community advocacy.

Danielle Prokop reports for Source New Mexico.

In short:

The U.S. EPA’s plan involves trucking uranium-contaminated waste to the Red Rocks Landfill, six miles east of Thoreau, New Mexico, over several years.
Navajo leaders and environmental advocates see this as a significant step, though some residents in Thoreau have voiced safety concerns.
The Navajo Nation continues to grapple with long-term health effects from uranium mining, including higher rates of cancer and kidney disease.

Key quote:

“It’s not everything the three affected communities would wish for, but it’s action in the right direction now, rather than in the future.”

— Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation president

Why this matters:

Uranium mining left lasting scars on the Navajo Nation, contributing to toxic exposures and public health crises. Removing the waste offers a chance to address some of the harm, though logistical and community concerns about disposal remain.

sourcenm.com

Agreement reached to remove uranium mine waste from Navajo land

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